At Thursday's Budget Committee meeting, the final draft of the city's FY 2011 budget was discussed and sent to the City Council for its consideration.Budget Committee Chairman Stan Grubin said the purpose of the meeting was to review changes made at the last city-council work session.
City Administrator Greg Mims mentioned some highlights of the proposed budget:
- $2.1 million for capital improvements (vehicle replacement, road paving, etc)
- begin updating old city-wide computer server (ASA 400)
- replace obsolete police radio system
- $100K for a new fire truck
- $200,000 extra included for employee health insurance ("true-up")
- A $280,000 surplus is projected
With flat revenue projected, Mims emphasized prioritizing city needs: "We're making headway on the Strategic Plan . . . taking care of public safety issues. . . and Dept. Heads' capital needs. Try to hang on . . . get through (bad) economy."
Committee members said their recommendations relied heavily upon input from Department Managers and the work of the Strategic Planning And 5 Year Capital Plan Committees. Although no pay raises are being recommended, besides the additional $200,000 for employee health care, $600,000 is being committed to fund retirement pensions-according to committee members.
Planned improvements to the aging sewage plant were recommended to be put on hold, to consider whether a new facility may be more cost effective.
[Publisher's Note: According to newspaper reports, personnel associated with at least one Dept.(Recreation) have expressed disappointment with the proposal, claiming it was slighted in favor of the Police Dept.]
Planned improvements to the aging sewage plant were recommended to be put on hold, to consider whether a new facility may be more cost effective.
[Publisher's Note: According to newspaper reports, personnel associated with at least one Dept.(Recreation) have expressed disappointment with the proposal, claiming it was slighted in favor of the Police Dept.]
By law, the City Council has ultimate authority for yearly budgets: may make additions, deletions, changes as desired.
Administrator Mims' comments.
Dept. Heads were asked for comments.
Council President Mixon responded to criticisms published recently by the local newspaper concerning the budgeting process, saying the Mayor had been invited to attend and participate in all their meetings, but declined for various reasons.
Comments
We all ought to unite behind Mims too, to help him bring some order to the chaos that has been there.
Just raising our taxes and utility rates can't be the only solution for every problem that comes along.
Who's Kojak anyway?
Fairhope needs to quit acting like it's too superior for crime.
However we also don't need to equip and budget the Police Dept to the exclusion of all other departments. We may not live in Mayberry, but it isn't exactly Gotham City either!